Utility bucket

ABSTRACT

A bucket with one or more handles on the side or bottom of the bucket that may be gripped to stabilize the bucket when pouring the contents out of the bucket. The one or more handles in combination with the bail provide the user with a balanced design to controllably pour the contents from the bucket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending applications Ser. No. 29/493,587, filed on Jun. 11, 2014, entitled BUCKET HANDLE; Ser. No. 29/494,120, filed on Jun. 17, 2014, entitled BUCKET HANDLE; and Ser. No. 29/494,494, filed on Jun. 20, 2014, entitled BUCKET HANDLE.

FIELD

The present invention relates to buckets and, more particularly, to a bucket with one or more additional handles to aid in pouring the contents from the bucket.

BACKGROUND

Buckets or pails are well known in the prior art. A bucket or pail is typically a water tight, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a flat bottom and open top, and having a semi-circular handle or bail attached to the rim around the open top. The bottom of the bucket is offset from the lower edge of the wall of the bucket presenting a lower lip or rim. A common volume for a bucket in the United States is five gallons, which is roughly equivalent to a 20-liter bucket used in Europe.

These buckets may be filed with paint, tar, various solvents, or any number of liquids for storage, transportation and use. These buckets are also used to carry water. A common problem with these buckets is that when full the bucket with its contents may weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. Pouring the contents from the bucket is difficult because of the weight of the bucket and contents, the location and geometry of the bail, and the lack of a handle or grip point on the side or bottom of the bucket. By tipping the bucket slightly, one is able to slip one's fingers under the lower rim to lift the bottom of the bucket to pour the contents from the bucket. However, because the lower rim is narrow only accommodating one's finger tips and provides no way to positively grip the bucket, pouring the contents from the bucket is often haphazard resulting in an uncontrolled pour or spill.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a bucket with one or more handles on the side or bottom of the bucket that may be gripped to stabilize the bucket when pouring the contents out of the bucket. The one or more handles in combination with the bail provide the user with a balanced design to controllably pour the contents from the bucket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a prior art bucket.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the prior art bucket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the prior art bucket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the prior art bucket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bucket of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bucket of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bucket of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bucket of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a bottom view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bucket of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a bottom View of FIG. 21.

FIG. 26 is a side view showing a bucket of the present invention lifted above a surface.

FIG. 27 is a side view showing a bucket of the present invention slightly tipped to pour the contents from the bucket by the user while grasping the bail and a second handle.

FIG. 28 is a side view showing a bucket of the present invention further tipped to pour the contents from the bucket by the user while grasping the bail and a second handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Moreover, except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description and in the claims are to be understood as modified by the word “about” in describing the broader scope of this invention. Practice within the numerical limits stated is generally preferred. Also, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the description of a group or class of materials as suitable or preferred for a given purpose in connection with the invention implies that mixtures or combinations of any two or more members of the group or class may be equally suitable or preferred.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, a prior art bucket is generally indicated by reference numeral 30. Bucket 30 is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side 31, a flat bottom 32, an open top 34, and a semi-circular handle or bail 36. Bucket 30 is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. The side 31 surrounds the bottom 32 to form an enclosure. Bucket 30 is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top 34 the bucket includes a flange 38 to strengthen the open top 34 and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket 30.

One or more circumferential ribs 40, 42 and 44, near the top of the bucket 30, provide strength to the bucket 30 and to the bail attachment blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket. The bail 36 hooks into the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 30 and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket 30 and pouring the contents from the bucket 30.

The bottom 32 of the bucket 30 may be flat or include a narrow rim 48, which is an extension of the cylinder 31. Because the narrow rim 48 is only the thickness of the side 31 of the bucket 30, and has a depth of approximately 0.5 inch, it is difficult for a user to grasp the narrow rim 48 in order to tip the bucket 30 to pour the contents from the bucket 30. Additionally, because a full bucket 30 may be quite heavy and the force necessary to tip the bucket 30 with only one's finger tips grasping the narrow rim 48 may be great, pouring the contents from the bucket 30 may be painful or difficult for the user.

Referring to FIGS. 5-9, an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 50. The elements common to the prior art bucket 30 are indicated by the same reference numbers used above.

Bucket 50 is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side 52, flat bottom 32, an open top 34, and a semi-circular handle or bail 36. Bucket 50 is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket 50 is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top 34 the bucket includes a flange 38 to strengthen the open top 34 and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket 50.

One or more circumferential ribs 40, 42 and 44, near the top of the bucket 50, provide strength to the bucket 30 and to the bail attachment blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 50. The bail 36 hooks into the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 50 and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket 30 and pouring the contents from the bucket 50.

A handle 54 may be included and formed in the side 52 proximal the bottom 32 of the bucket 50. Handle 54 may include a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped void or indentation 56 in the side 52 with a grip 58 attached to opposite sides of the ellipsoid 56 along the major axis. The ellipsoid 56 may be sized to accommodate a person's fingers, which may be placed into the ellipsoid 56 under the grip 58 to grasp the grip 58 of the handle 54 as desired. The handle 54 may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoid 56 generally parallel to the axis of the cylindrical side 52. The handle 54 may also be located along the periphery of side 52 in a plane generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side 52 and passing through the bail 36 attachment points with the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 50. The ellipsoid 56 protrudes into the interior of the bucket 50.

Referring to FIGS. 10-14, an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 60. The elements common to the prior art bucket 30 are indicated by the same reference numbers used above.

Bucket 60 is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side 62, flat bottom 32, an open top 34, and a semi-circular handle or bail 36. Bucket 60 is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket 60 is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top 34 the bucket includes a flange 38 to strengthen the open top 34 and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket 60.

One or more circumferential ribs 40, 42 and 44, near the top of the bucket 60, provide strength to the bucket 30 and to the bail attachment blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 60. The bail 36 hooks into the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 60 and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket 30 and pouring the contents from the bucket 60.

A handle 64 may be included and formed in the side 62 proximal the bottom 32 of the bucket 60. Handle 64 may include a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped void or indentation 66 in the side 62 with a grip 68 attached to opposite sides of the ellipsoid 66 along the major axis. The ellipsoid 66 may be sized to accommodate a person's fingers, which may be placed into the ellipsoid 66 under the grip 68 to grasp the grip 68 of the handle 64 as desired. The handle 64 may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoid 66 generally along an arc of the cylindrical side 62 and perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical side. The handle 44 may also be located along the periphery of side 62 in a plane generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side 62 and passing through the bail 36 attachment points with the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 60. The ellipsoid 66 protrudes into the interior of the bucket 60.

Referring to FIGS. 15-17, an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 70. The elements common to the prior art bucket 30 are indicated by the same reference numbers used above.

Bucket 70 is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side 31, flat bottom 72, an open top 34, and a semi-circular handle or bail 36. Bucket 70 is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket 70 is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top 34 the bucket includes a flange 38 to strengthen the open top 34 and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket 70.

One or more circumferential ribs 40, 42 and 44, near the top of the bucket 70, provide strength to the bucket 30 and to the bail attachment blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 70. The bail 36 hooks into the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 70 and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket 30 and pouring the contents from the bucket 70.

A handle 74 may be included and formed in the bottom 72 of the bucket 70. Handle 74 may include a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped void or indentation 76 flattened on one side in the bottom 72. The flattened ellipsoid 76 may be sized to accommodate a person's fingers, which may be placed into the flattened ellipsoid 76 under the lower rim 78 of the bucket 70 to grasp the handle 74 as desired. The handle 74 may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoid 76 generally coextensive with a chord of the circular bottom 72, and generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side 31 and passing through the bail 36 attachment points with the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 70. The handle 74 protrudes into the interior of the bucket 70.

Referring to FIGS. 18-20, an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 80. The elements common to the prior art bucket 30 are indicated by the same reference numbers used above.

Bucket 80 is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side 31, flat bottom 82, an open top 34, and a semi-circular handle or bail 36. Bucket 80 is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket 80 is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top 34 the bucket includes a flange 38 to strengthen the open top 34 and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket 80.

One or more circumferential ribs 40, 42 and 44, near the top of the bucket 80, provide strength to the bucket 30 and to the bail attachment blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 80. The bail 36 hooks into the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 80 and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket 30 and pouring the contents from the bucket 80.

Handles 84 and 85 may be included and formed in the bottom 82 of the bucket 80. Handles 84 and 85 may include generally semi-ellipsoid shaped voids or indentations 86 and 87, respectively, flattened on one side in the bottom 82. The flattened ellipsoids 86 and 87 may be sized to accommodate a person's fingers, which may be placed into either flattened ellipsoid 86 or 87 under the lower rim 88 of the bucket 80 to grasp either handle 84 or 85 as desired. The handles 84 and 85 may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoids 86 and 87, respectively, generally coextensive with chords of the circular bottom 82 and on opposite sides, and generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side 31 and passing through the bail 36 attachment points with the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 80. The handles 84 and 85 protrude into the interior of the bucket 80.

Referring to FIGS. 21-25, an embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 100. The elements common to the prior art bucket 30 are indicated by the same reference numbers used above.

Bucket 100 is generally a hollow, vertical cylinder or truncated cone with a side 102, flat bottom 103, an open top 34, and a semi-circular handle or bail 36. Bucket 100 is typically made of plastic but may also be made from other materials, such as metal. Bucket 100 is water tight for carrying liquids or other materials. At the open top 34 the bucket includes a flange 38 to strengthen the open top 34 and to provide a lip for a lid (not shown) to seal the bucket 100.

One or more circumferential ribs 40, 42 and 44, near the top of the bucket 100, provide strength to the bucket 30 and to the bail attachment blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 100. The bail 36 hooks into the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 100 and pivots about the attachment point to aid in lifting the bucket 30 and pouring the contents from the bucket 100.

Handles 104 and 105 may be included and formed in the bottom 103 of the bucket 100. Handles 104 and 105 may include generally semi-ellipsoid shaped voids or indentations 106 and 107, respectively, flattened on one side in the bottom 103. The flattened ellipsoids 106 and 107 may be sized to accommodate a person's fingers, which may be placed into either flattened ellipsoid 106 or 107 under the lower rim 108 of the bucket 100 to grasp either handle 104 or 105 as desired. The handles 104 and 105 may be oriented with the major axis of the ellipsoids 106 and 107, respectively, generally coextensive with chords of the circular bottom 103 and on opposite sides, and generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side 31 and passing through the bail 36 attachment points with the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 100. The handles 104 and 105 protrude into the interior of the bucket 100. With the handles 104 and 105 on opposite sides of the bucket 100, the contents of the bucket 100 may be poured from either side.

Optionally a handle 110 may be included and formed in the side 102 proximal the bottom 103 of the bucket 100. Handle 110 may include a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped void or indentation 112 in the side 102 with a grip 114 extending from opposite sides of the ellipsoid 112 along the minor axis. The ellipsoid 112 may be sized to accommodate a person's fingers, which may be placed into the ellipsoid 112 under the grip 114 to grasp the grip 114 of the handle 110 as desired. The handle 110 may be oriented with the minor axis of the ellipsoid 112 generally parallel to the axis of the cylindrical side 102. The handle 110 may also be located along the periphery of side 102 in a plane generally parallel to a plane coextensive with the axis of the cylindrical side 102 and passing through the bail 36 attachment points with the blocks 46 on opposite sides of the bucket 100. The ellipsoid 112 protrudes into the interior of the bucket 100.

Referring to FIGS. 26-28, use of an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with reference to the bucket 100 shown in FIGS. 21-25. A person may lift the bucket 100 by grasping the bail. To pour the contents from the bucket 100, the user may grasp the side handle 110 to tip the bucket 100. Alternatively, the user may grasp one of the bottom handles 104 or 105 to pour the contents from the bucket 100 (see FIG. 21).

It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the side and bottom handles may be combined in any manner desired for a particular design. The additional handle or handles provide a comfortable and advantageous grip for pouring the contents from a bucket. Although the drawings and descriptions illustrate a cylindrical bucket and generally depict a 5-gallon bucket, other bucket configurations, shapes, sizes and capacities may be included.

It is to be understood that while certain now preferred forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims. 

1. A bucket comprising: a bottom, a side wall surrounding said bottom and forming an enclosure, said enclosure having a top opening, a bottom rim and an exterior surface, said enclosure tapering inwardly from said top opening to said bottom rim, a first handle pivotally secured to opposite sides of said side wall proximal said top opening, a second handle formed in said side wall proximal said bottom rim, and a third handle formed in said bottom proximal said bottom rim, said second handle having a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped indentation in said side wall and having a major axis and a minor axis, and a grip secured to opposite sides of said semi-ellipsoid along said minor axis and coextensive with said exterior surface of said enclosure, said third handle having a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped indentation flattened on one side formed in said bottom, wherein said bucket is nestable with another bucket.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. The bucket of claim 4 wherein said second handle is oriented with said major axis of said semi-ellipsoid generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said enclosure.
 6. The bucket of claim 5 wherein said second handle is oriented in a plane generally parallel to a plane coextensive with said longitudinal axis of said enclosure and passing through attachment points of said first handle to said side wall.
 7. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said second handle is oriented with said major axis of said semi-ellipsoid generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said enclosure.
 8. The bucket of claim 7 wherein said second handle is oriented in a plane generally parallel to a plane coextensive with said longitudinal axis of said enclosure and passing through attachment points of said first handle to said side wall.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The bucket of claim 1 wherein said third handle is oriented with a major axis of said semi-ellipsoid generally coextensive with a chord of said bottom and generally parallel to a plane coextensive with a longitudinal axis of said enclosure passing through attachment points of said first handle to said side wall.
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. The bucket of claim 14 wherein said second handle is oriented with said major axis of said semi-ellipsoid generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said enclosure.
 16. The bucket of claim 15 wherein said second handle is oriented in a plane generally parallel to a plane coextensive with said longitudinal axis of said enclosure and passing through attachment points of said first handle to said cylindrical side wall.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. (canceled)
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. (canceled)
 26. The bucket of claim 1 further comprising a fourth_handle formed in said circular bottom proximal said bottom rim.
 27. The bucket of claim 26 wherein said fourth handle includes a generally semi-ellipsoid shaped indentation flattened on one side formed in said circular bottom.
 28. The bucket of claim 27 wherein said fourth handle is oriented with a major axis of said semi-ellipsoid generally coextensive with a chord of said circular bottom and generally parallel to a plane coextensive with a longitudinal axis of said enclosure passing through attachment points of said first handle to said cylindrical side wall.
 29. The bucket of claim 26 wherein said third and fourth handles are on opposite sides of said circular bottom. 